Revolutionary Green Construction Process Utilizes Automated Data Acquisition

CLEVELAND - March 28, 2019 - PRLog -- dataTaker Universal Logger Keeps Procedures Running Smoothly

As the need for sustainable manufacturing methods in construction increases, companies are utilizing smart monitoring systems to capture and analyze critical data. CAS DataLoggers provided the automated data acquisition solution to bioMASON Inc. (http://biomason.com/) in a truly unique process monitoring application.

Process

bioMASON Inc. Chief Technology Officer Michael Dosier explains the process requirements: "Our biological fermentation process occurs at scales too small to see, so naturally our mentality is to measure every one of our process parameters to fully align them with our process. This is an entirely new technology, so in the absence of existing standards, traditional measuring methodologies don't apply. We're monitoring anything and everything we can, including facility temperature in several different locations, humidity, pH, and more.

Installation

To log and record all these production parameters, CAS DataLoggers supplied bioMASON Inc. with a dataTaker DT80 Universal Data Logger (https://www.dataloggerinc.com/product/dt80m-universal-inp...). This automated solution data keeps industrial processes running smoothly in plants and factories. Series 4 dataTaker data loggers feature universal input channels to connect with almost any sensor type. Users can log Temperature, Humidity, Voltage/Current, 4-20mA Loops, Digital, Serial, Resistance, Bridges, Strain Gauges, Frequency and more—all on one device using one software application.

Usage

The dataTaker DT80 features 5 to 15 Universal Analog sensor inputs to connect with most sensor types and data measurement sources. This ensures that users can log and scale Temperature, Current/Voltage, 4-20mA loops, resistance, pH, humidity and more. The system uses a dual-channel design allowing up to 10 isolated or 15 common-referenced analog inputs to be used in different combinations.

Right now, the DT80 is located next to one of the facility's industrial control cabinets, powered from a 120V AC power supply using the included wall adapter. The dataTaker can also operate using the 24V or 12V power supplies located in the cabinet. Meanwhile dataTaker's famous durability will provide years of reliable operation even in the harshest industrial environments.

Flexible Sensor Connection

As Michael Dosier points out, "The universal nature of the datalogger was the most important feature for us—we knew we wanted to monitor anything and everything. We've positioned thermocouples of varying types in different locations, for example to monitor water temperature and the temperature throughout our facility. The DT80 also logs data from our pH sensor which uses 4-20mA signals on the transmitters. "

"For example, we're currently using our mix system to trigger the dataTaker to collect data at a sample rate of every 30 seconds. To record another aspect of the process, we might setup the logger to sample every 5 minutes. We can choose to log only when the mix pump is turned on, or during a certain event occurring in the mix solution. This saves memory space on the logger because we don't need to record additional data when the mixer's off. Using the DT80, I log into the database once per run, and every run gets its own data sheet for later analysis."

Ethernet Communication

In this cutting-edge application, the team needs to protect its proprietary R&D data against corruption but also to secure it against intrusion. Since the dataTaker is operating standalone, i.e. not connected to the facility's network, users can easily access it on the device's own Ethernet network. "Data integrity is the most important thing for us as far as communication. The datalogger stores all data in CSV format and collates it properly. Ethernet connection was a big point for us, so the data isn't right there on our network for just anyone to see." The DT80 also has a built-in serial port (RS232 with modem support) and can communicate over FTP to push data over the Internet or mobile phone network.

Software

With the included dataTaker dEX configuration software, users set logging schedules for each sensor, download measurements and analyze historical data. The software is preinstalled on all dataTaker devices and uses a browser based GUI allowing quick setup and configuration of the logger. The software is configured and runs directly from a web browser and can be accessed anywhere a TCP/IP connection is available. Operators can use any of the logger's built-in communications ports to view dEX including Ethernet, and USB.

Mr. Dosier is already up and running: "The configuration software is very friendly and useable. The software's monitoring feature is essential for recording our process, and we get real-time feedback in the form of dashboard mimics. We're currently running about five different logging schedules (data sets) on the network. We're using triggers on the schedules so we're only looking at the data we want. Right now, we have six windows open which we can populate with different feedback values. The software shows us a history chart of sampling over time, displays trends as tables or onscreen graphs, etc. We haven't found a performance limit yet but we're always checking."

Benefits

The dataTaker DT80 allows bioMASON to cut costs and time otherwise spent manually retrieving data and from having to purchase several different systems with different software. The DT80's universal inputs connect to every analog sensor in use in this application, automates data collection, and transfers the data over the network via Ethernet—all in a single system. Meanwhile the software's mimic display tracks all these parameters at every point of interest in the process, made possible by the dataTaker's trigger function and large internal memory. All these features are extremely cost-effective.

For more information on the dataTaker DT80 Universal Data Logger (https://www.dataloggerinc.com/product/dt80m-universal-input-data-logger/), automated data acquisition or to find the ideal solution for your application-specific needs, contact a CAS DataLogger Application Specialist at (800) 956-4437 or request more information (https://www.dataloggerinc.com/need-more-information/).